Local leagues not likely to shorten schedules

There are plans to upgrade St. Pat's facility with city's help

It's not likely the St. John's Baseball League will reduce its schedule to avoid playing deep into the fall.

Last year's final went into the second week of October before the H.J. Bartlett Electric Storm made history by beating defending champion Gonzaga Vikings, becoming the first Mount Pearl-based to win the St. John's Molson senior baseball championship.

It's not likely the St. John's Baseball League will reduce its schedule to avoid playing deep into the fall.

Last year's final went into the second week of October before the H.J. Bartlett Electric Storm made history by beating defending champion Gonzaga Vikings, becoming the first Mount Pearl-based to win the St. John's Molson senior baseball championship.

League president Mark Healey said at the end of last season the league would look into the possibility of reducing the 24-game schedule, but he told The Telegram this week the general consensus among the teams seems to be saying with the status quo.

"We talked about it at AGM in February but nothing was decided. However," added Healey, "we'll get together again as an executive with the team delegates over the next couple of weeks and put together some draft schedules.

"We'll look at the overall schedule and, depending on the number of tournaments including the provincials, it could dictate a change.

Meanwhile, Healey said there will be discussions with city council concerning upgrades at the St. Pat's Ball Park.

"We'd like to see some improvements," Healey said.

"We've met with the city over the past year to put together a bit of a plan," said Healey. "Obviously, it's an old facility, but a great location. There are some things we'd like to see done such as getting our infield upgraded. It's sort of sunken over the years and we'd like it leveled. We also looked at getting the bleachers upgraded, things like that.

"We'll get together with the city and see what its plan of action is for the summer and how much they have in the budget. Some things we can do on a cost-sharing basis," Healey explained.

Healey also said, "Maybe we can get an ACOA (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) grant to have a bit of joint facility with minor baseball."

Right now, only the senior, intermediate and midget teams (on Sundays) play at the facility located at the corner of Empire Avenue and Carpasian Road.